All Idioms
IntermediateChinese Idiom (成语)

疑神疑鬼

yí shén yí guǐ

“To suspect gods and suspect ghosts”

Meaning: To be overly suspicious; to imagine dangers everywhere; to be paranoid; to see threats where none exist

Character-by-Character Breakdown

yí
疑
to doubt / to suspect
HSK 4
shén
神
god / deity / spirit
HSK 4
yí
疑
to doubt / to suspect
HSK 4
guǐ
鬼
ghost / demon
HSK 5

The Story Behind 疑神疑鬼

Source:《醒世恒言》
Period:Ming Dynasty (1368–1644)

Suspicious of Everything

The idiom 疑神疑鬼 comes from classical Chinese literature, describing people who are overly suspicious.

It emphasizes that being suspicious of everything, even things that don't exist, creates unnecessary worry and trouble.

The phrase teaches that excessive suspicion can be harmful and that not everything should be doubted.

It reflects the idea that being too cautious or paranoid can be counterproductive.

Original Classical Chinese

疑神疑鬼，自生烦恼。

How to Use 疑神疑鬼

This idiom is used to describe people who are overly suspicious or paranoid.

It emphasizes that being suspicious of everything, even things that don't exist, creates unnecessary worry.

The idiom is often used to criticize excessive suspicion or to warn against being too paranoid.

When to use:
  • Use when criticizing excessive or unreasonable suspicion
  • Often used to describe paranoid behavior
  • Can be used as advice to be less suspicious
Common Mistake

Don't confuse this with being cautious or careful. It specifically refers to excessive, unreasonable suspicion that creates unnecessary worry, not legitimate caution.

Example Sentences

1

他整天疑神疑鬼，总觉得有人在监视他。

Tā zhěngtiān yí shén yí guǐ, zǒng juédé yǒu rén zài jiānshì tā.

He is suspicious all day long, always thinking someone is watching him.

2

不要疑神疑鬼的，没有人要害你。

Bùyào yí shén yí guǐ de, méiyǒu rén yào hài nǐ.

Don't be so suspicious. No one wants to harm you.

3

她总是疑神疑鬼，对任何人都保持警惕。

Tā zǒngshì yí shén yí guǐ, duì rènhé rén dōu bǎochí jǐngtì.

She is always suspicious, staying alert with everyone.

Practice Writing

Generate a free printable worksheet with all 4 characters from this idiom.

Generate Worksheet (4 Characters)

Or explore each character:

疑stroke order神stroke order疑stroke order鬼stroke order

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 疑神疑鬼 (yí shén yí guǐ) mean?

疑神疑鬼 literally means "to suspect gods and suspect ghosts." Figuratively, it means to be overly suspicious, to imagine dangers everywhere, or to be paranoid. It describes people who see threats where none exist.

What is the difference between 疑神疑鬼 and 杯弓蛇影?

Both idioms describe excessive fear or suspicion, but 疑神疑鬼 emphasizes being suspicious of everything (gods and ghosts), while 杯弓蛇影 specifically refers to mistaking one thing for another due to fear. 疑神疑鬼 is about general suspicion, 杯弓蛇影 is about mistaken perception due to fear.

How do you use 疑神疑鬼 in a sentence?

Use 疑神疑鬼 when criticizing excessive suspicion. For example: "不要疑神疑鬼的，没有人要害你" (Don't be so suspicious, no one wants to harm you). It emphasizes unreasonable paranoia.

Is 疑神疑鬼 always negative?

Yes, 疑神疑鬼 has a negative connotation. It's used to criticize excessive, unreasonable suspicion that creates unnecessary worry. It emphasizes that being too suspicious can be harmful.

Is 疑神疑鬼 difficult to learn?

疑神疑鬼 is considered intermediate level. It uses characters of varying difficulty (疑 HSK4, 神 HSK4, 鬼 HSK5). The concept of excessive suspicion is clear and the idiom is commonly used in modern Chinese.